Ji Zhi Xiu had a peculiar expression on his face.
Jiang Mian carefully distinguished it, certain that the emotion was awkwardness. It dawned on her belatedly, could this man be playing a feeding game with her?
So she picked up another piece and offered it to Ji Zhi Xiu's lips. Ji Zhi Xiu lowered his head and naturally took it into his mouth, not even letting go of her slender finger.
Suddenly enveloped by the wetness in his mouth, Jiang Mian felt a burning sensation on her fingertips. Her eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks puffed out involuntarily, and her voice trembled slightly, "Let go..."
Her soft, sweet tone was more like a coy refusal than a genuine request. The man advanced instead of retreating. She felt the man's mischievous tongue further caressing her, sending electric tingles all over her body. Ji Zhi Xiu slowly tormented the young girl, and after being injured, he had to get some compensation elsewhere.
After a long while, Jiang Mian's eyes were tinged with red, and her cheeks held a beautiful, alluring charm. She leaned against Ji Zhi Xiu's embrace, soft and limp like a puddle.
On the big screen, Alisha slowly sank into the water.
But at this moment, no one cared about the female protagonist anymore.
...
Song Xing Jia called Jiang Mian only after returning to Hong Kong. In the phone call, his voice was as clear and pleasant as ever, "I apologize for informing you of this result so late. I've investigated the last incident, and it was indeed an accident."
Jiang Mian was out shopping with Li Zhu Yi when she heard this. She nodded, "It's as I thought. I'm almost fully recovered. How have you been lately?"
Song Xing Jia lowered his head, looking at the documents on his desk. The Song family's internal strife had reached a point of no return. He had to guard against the insidious schemes of these outwardly friendly relatives every day, which was sickening. He showed no outward emotion, his voice faint, "I'm fine."
Jiang Mian later saw the statement Song Xing Jia had issued on her behalf. Even though some fans were victims, Song Xing Jia still held them accountable. Even through the screen, she could feel the anger and protection in that statement.
"Young Mr. Song, you have a meeting in ten minutes."
Before Song Xing Jia could stop her, his assistant's reminder came through the phone and reached Jiang Mian's ears. Jiang Mian turned her head and smiled, swallowing the words she was about to say, "You go ahead and be busy. We'll talk again when you're back in Kyoto."
Knowing she was doing well, Song Xing Jia was relieved. He nodded slightly, "Okay. By the way, Director Zhang Zi Mo is casting for a new drama. If you're interested, take a look."
Jiang Mian knew that Song Xing Jia's casual remark held deeper meaning. She kept it in mind, "I know."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Mian handed her phone to Li Zhu Yi, "I'm going to the restroom. You and Xiang Long wait here for me."
Li Zhu Yi nodded, "Okay."
Xiang Long stood behind her. Since the last incident, their relationship had progressed rapidly, becoming very close.
"Do you want to sit for a while?"
Xiang Long shook his head. This amount of work was trivial for him. Besides, he had her company.
"Okay, no wonder you dare to reject me. So you already have someone by your side!" A voice cut in between them. Ji Zhi Lan, full of indignation, rushed over and raised her hand to slap Li Zhu Yi.
This sudden turn of events was unexpected. Xiang Long didn't even have time to intervene.
The stinging pain on her cheek reminded Li Zhu Yi that she had been slapped again. This pain instantly filled her eyes with tears. She didn't understand what she had done to offend this person.
The moment Xiang Long saw her move, his eyes turned cold. He stepped forward to block Li Zhu Yi, "Miss, why did you hit her?"
Ji Zhi Lan met his gaze fearlessly. She didn't believe Xiang Long could do anything to her. "I hit her because I wanted to. They're an eyesore to me."
When she saw the two of them being so intimate, she almost went mad. So this was the girl who made Xiang Long slap her? How could she tolerate this?
Xiang Long clenched his fists, "I respect you as a young lady, so I won't do anything to you. But if there's a next time, don't blame me for being impolite."
His warning words enraged Ji Zhi Lan. Before she could say anything, she saw Xiang Long turn and gently touch Li Zhu Yi's face, his eyes filled with a tenderness she had never seen before. "Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"
Just last time, when she was in pain, this man was busy taking care of her. In the blink of an eye, he had changed.
Li Zhu Yi shook her head, understanding a little more. "It's fine."
"Xiang Long!" Ji Zhi Lan shrieked, "How dare you treat me like this?"
Xiang Long's gaze was indifferent, "I belong to the CEO. I don't need to consider all your emotions, Miss."
Jiang Mian came out of the restroom and stepped forward, "What's going on?"
Ji Zhi Lan narrowed her eyes. "It's you?" Her gaze flickered between Li Zhu Yi and Jiang Mian, "She's your person? I see, my brother has even assigned Xiang Long to you. You've certainly got some skills."
Jiang Mian was displeased with her tone and didn't intend to indulge her. It seemed Ji Zhi Lan already knew about her existence. She nodded seriously, "Since you know she's my person, you should show her some respect."
Ji Zhi Lan's hands trembled with anger, "You wish!"
"Then hurry back and complain to your brother," Jiang Mian suggested earnestly.
Ji Zhi Lan indeed grabbed her bag and left. Before she left, she uttered a harsh threat, "Jiang Mian! You'll never enter my Ji family's door in this lifetime! My sister-in-law can only be Shen Ting Yu!"
Jiang Mian thought to herself, your words don't matter anyway.
She looked at Li Zhu Yi's face, her heart aching. "Let's not shop anymore. Let's go back."
Li Zhu Yi shook her head, knowing Jiang Mian had been cooped up at home for a long time and had finally come out. She didn't want to go back so soon.
Jiang Mian said helplessly, "You're such a silly girl. There'll be plenty of time in the future. As for your face, it'll swell up if you don't apply a cold compress soon."
Li Zhu Yi's eyes welled up with tears, "Okay."
...
Ji Zhi Lan returned home in a huff and couldn't help but burst into tears, "Wuuuuu wuuuuu wuuuuu..."
Her father, disturbed by her crying, asked, "What's wrong again?"
"Dad! Brother has a woman outside!" Ji Zhi Lan cried aggrievedly, looking up to complain.
"It's normal for your brother to have a woman. Chang Qin already has a child, and Lu Cong is always flitting from one woman to another. Do you really expect your brother to go his whole life without even holding a woman's hand?"
Ji Zhi Lan was stunned, "It's different! Brother even lent Xiang Long to this woman."
Ji Zhi Lan's mother came downstairs, "You still have feelings for Xiang Long?"
"Mom, I'm just jealous. Brother has never been this good to me, but he's so considerate to this woman. I'm his real sister!"
Ji Zhi Lan's mother asked, "What kind of girl is she?"
"Definitely not as good as Ting Yu!"
"Ji Zhi Lan!" Ji Zhi Lan's mother raised her voice.
"It's Jiang Mian, a small actress," Ji Zhi Lan rolled her eyes. "I really don't know what my brother sees in her."
Ji Zhi Lan's mother calmed herself. In her opinion, although her son wasn't interested in women, it was understandable for him to have a woman by his side for many years. Otherwise, he'd seem like he was gay. She frowned, "Mind your own business regarding your brother."
Ji Zhi Lan stood up abruptly, "Mom, you don't even discipline Brother. What if Brother marries her?"
"He won't. Your brother has never mentioned it, which shows he's not that serious about her. He always knows what he's doing in these matters," Ji Zhi Lan's mother wasn't worried.
"Anyway, if Brother marries her, I'll be the first to disagree!"
"Your brother's marriage will undoubtedly be to a prominent lady of equal social standing. Before he's married, your brother will exercise his own judgment. You don't need to worry."
Ji Zhi Lan was angry, "Fine, I'll see if you're as confident about Brother as you say you are."
...
Jiang Mian took a month off, and Sister Ning didn't rush her back to work. Mostly, she didn't dare. With Mr. Ji's demeanor, who would dare to speak up?
Only when Jiang Mian felt that being idle any longer would delay things did she insist on working, despite Ji Zhi Xiu's objections.
She told Sister Ning about Director Zhang Zi Mo's new drama. Sister Ning asked, puzzled, "Did Mr. Ji find this for you? How did you get the news before I did?"
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, "No, Song Xing Jia told me."
Sister Ning rubbed her chin, "Mian Mian, don't you think Song Xing Jia takes really good care of you?"
"I do," ever since she met Song Xing Jia, Jiang Mian had found him to be a very warm person.
Sister Ning patted her shoulder, "Work hard, and don't let him down."
Since Song Xing Jia had recommended her, it was likely that things were already settled and they were waiting for her to contact them.
Jiang Mian nodded, "I know."
Things went smoother than Jiang Mian had expected. Director Zhang Zi Mo's new drama was a Qing Dynasty series, telling the story of Yi Rong, a minor official's daughter of humble origins, who rose to the throne of Empress.
Sister Ning contacted them and found out that the supporting actress's promotional photos had already been taken, but she had to drop out after joining the crew due to academic issues. They had no choice but to ask Song Xing Jia for help, and Song Xing Jia recommended Jiang Mian to the production team.
Sister Ning sent Jiang Mian's photos to them. Director Zhang was very satisfied and asked Jiang Mian to join them immediately.
On the day she went to the airport, Ji Zhi Xiu drove Jiang Mian.
This large-scale TV series would take at least three months to film. By the time Jiang Mian returned, it might already be autumn in Kyoto.
Ji Zhi Xiu instructed, "Take your medicine on time, and tell me if you get a headache again."
Jiang Mian nodded, "This is the second time you've said that today."
Ji Zhi Xiu's eyes were cold, "Then have you remembered it all?"
"I'll call you every day, my husband."
Ji Zhi Xiu's heart stirred, and he said softly, "Good girl."
If he could, he would have liked to put Jiang Mian in his pocket and take her everywhere.
Jiang Mian tilted her head and kissed his chin, "You must also take care of yourself, no more late nights. Come home and see our son often."
The young girl's chattering voice sounded, and Ji Zhi Xiu raised an eyebrow, "Got it."
Upon arriving at the airport, Jiang Mian got out of the car and met up with Xiang Long and Li Zhu Yi, who were in another car.
Ji Zhi Xiu sat in the car, watching their backs as they walked away through the window.
Fan Cheng couldn't help but say, "Since the President is reluctant to part, why didn't he get out of the car to see Madam off?"
Ji Zhi Xiu withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "No need."
A week later, Fan Cheng understood the meaning of the President's "no need."
Since Madam had left, the President had been working day and night, attending endless meetings and banquets.
He, too, had become like a work machine, so busy that he had lost two pounds.
He thought that if it went on for another week, he would die at his post. Just as he was thinking this, Ji Zhi Xiu casually raised his hand and said, "Let's get off work. Go back and get a good night's sleep tonight. We're going out of town tomorrow."
Fan Cheng was overjoyed, as if he had received amnesty, finally not having to work overtime. Let alone going out of town, he'd be willing to go abroad. He couldn't contain the joy on his face and nodded, "Yes, President. Where are we going?"
"To Hengdian."
Fan Cheng rubbed his head and a thought struck him, "Are we going to see Madam?"
No wonder the President had been working day and night these past few days. It turned out he was just clearing his backlog of work.
A faint smile played on Ji Zhi Xiu's lips, "To give her a surprise."
Fan Cheng nodded vigorously, "Madam will definitely be touched when she sees the President."
"Alright, are you leaving or not?"
Fan Cheng grinned, "See you tomorrow, President."
...
Jiang Mian hadn't expected to see a familiar face in this crew.
There was a look of surprise in her eyes.
"What, you didn't expect it to be me?"
Jiang Mian nodded her head slightly and honestly replied, "I really didn't expect it."